The Walks of Life

Chapter Twelve

"It seems like she has done a good job of hiding herself," Zane was telling Haden. "You need not worry about her. She can handle herself."

"Well, that's at least a little comforting to know," Haden shrugged. "She will be fine."

Haden left Zane's office quickly and hurried up the stairs. He opened his bedroom door softly and tiptoed past Aiden's crib. He paused to watch the sleeping baby.

He looks so peaceful, Haden thought to himself. Aiden truly didn't have a care in the world.

Haden turned around, straight into the cold steel of a knife. It pressed against his throat just enough to make him squirm. The dark figure in front of him did nothing and said nothing.

"Why do we have to keep meeting like this?" Haden asked stiffly. He raised his hand slowly to push the knife away from his throat. The blade whipped down and cut his hand. "Really? Was that absolutely necessary?"

"That was a warning," Delilah said coldly. "Your friend or uncle--whatever you want to call him--tripped one of my security lines."

"I was looking for you," Haden raised both his hands in surrender. "Now get that knife away from my neck before I remove it."

"And how pray tell," she said mockingly. "Do you intend to do that."

Haden looked to his left. He had a sword hanging from the wall a few feet away. The problem was getting to it. He looked down at his feet and smirked. Delilah raised an eyebrow at him.

Haden brought his leg up and kick down at the floor. One of his floorboards was loose and he hadn't fixed it yet. One end flew up towards Delilah. She jumped out of its way. She swiped at his legs with her knife as she moved. He jumped over it and grabbed his sword. Her eyes widened as he brought his sword down towards her head. She blocked it with her knife. She pulled another one from her boot and tried to slash at his knee. He spun to the side and kicked the knife from her right hand. He brought his sword up at the same time and hit the knife from her left hand.

"I swear if you wake up my son," Haden whispered. "I will not be happy."

"I'll try to fight quieter," Delilah said seriously as she looked him up and down.

She brought her arm up and grabbed his sword arm. She used it to lift herself off the ground and knee him in the stomach in the process. He  placed his leg behind her right calf and swung her over his hip. She went flying against the wall and landed on the side table beside his bed. She stood up quickly and attempted a high kick at his face. He blocked her kick with his arm, spun round, and kicked her in the stomach. She fell backwards and landed rather ungracefully on his bed. She was started to kick herself up, but he jumped and placed a knee firmly on her chest in between her breasts. She gasped and tried to remove his knee. A dagger whipped out from his belt and he placed it firmly against her neck.

"Like I said," Haden whispered. "Remove your knife or I will remove it for you."

Delilah spat in his face. He glared at her and wiped his face with his sleeve.

"That wasn't very ladylike," He hissed. "You could've bothered to ask why I was looking for you."

"Why were you looking for me?" She growled and started to sit up. He pricked the side of her neck in warning. She laid back again and remained still.